Lüderitz demands permanent council leadership

Lüderitz residents are demanding permanent executive leadership and improved financial reporting after years of acting appointments and delayed audits at the town council.

The positions of chief executive officer (CEO), strategic executive for finance and strategic executive for engineering have been occupied in an acting capacity for almost four years.

The residents are also concerned that the council’s financial reporting is allegedly several years behind and that its annual financial statements have not been submitted to the auditor general, which could result in the council’s budget not being released by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.

Speaking to The Namibian on Tuesday, spokesperson and community activist Ndeshipenda Akwenye said Lüderitz cannot fully realise its economic potential while these executive positions remain vacant and financial governance remains unaccounted for.

“While only the council and the auditor general can explain the exact circumstances, possible contributing factors may include prolonged leadership instability, vacancies in critical executive positions, capacity constraints within the finance department, and broader governance and oversight challenges.”